Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone chairman Nick Bourne gives his monthly update.

“I enjoyed a busy couple days in Pembrokeshire at the end of last week and was very pleased to be able to report on another significant step forward for the Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone at our board meeting.

“The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport Edwina Hart accepted recommendations in the recent Haven Waterway boundary review report to extend the enterprise zone.

“The four changes to the boundaries of the zone are:

• “Extension of the Haverfordwest Airport boundary to include the whole of the Withybush Industrial Estate.

• “Extension of the Pembrokeshire Science and Technology Park, Waterloo and London Road boundary into the industrial area bounded by London Road and Ferry Lane.

• “Extension of the Waterston and Blackbridge site boundaries to include two adjoining areas of land (Waterston Industrial Estate and “Daffodil Fields” to the east of Hazelback Road).

• “Extension of the RWE Power Station and Valero Refinery Site.

“This will give more businesses in Pembrokeshire the opportunity to reap the benefits of the enterprise zone and also allow us much more flexibility when looking to attract inward investment.

“Those benefits were also outlined last week by the National Assembly’s Finance Committee, who recently visited Haven Waterway as part of their inquiry into enterprise zones in Wales.

“The committee chair, Jocelyn Davies AM, noted that the Haven Waterway board has been working closely with the local authority to target companies that might benefit from the enterprise zone business rate relief scheme which has led to a great take-up of this incentive, and in turn resulted in significant capital investments in those companies.

“The economy minister also updated the Committee on progress made on developing Waterston and Blackbridge sites, for which we have now received 30 enquiries. These obviously remain commercially sensitive, but we are confident of entering more detailed negotiations in the coming months.

“I am very encouraged that the work of the board and the progress we have made is being recognised. The progress made to date is testament to the close working with and support received from the Pembrokeshire council and the Welsh Government in our efforts.

“Prior to last week’s board meeting I was also able to spend the day in Pembrokeshire meeting our partners and some of the businesses in the zone. I was pleased with everybody’s desire and commitment to seeing the enterprise zone concept succeed and with that goodwill and hard work I am sure we will make good progress.”